(Jefferson City) – Missouri shoppers paid more for food in the first quarter of 2014 than the same period last year, according to the latest Missouri Farm Bureau Market Basket Survey.

Sixteen items representing a cross-section of agricultural products were surveyed. The total price rang in at $49.08 compared to $48.73 for the same items one year ago for an increase of $0.35 year-over-year.

Overall, seven items increased in price while nine cost slightly less than in 2013. Both beef products on the list, ground chuck and sirloin tip roast, increased in price as did eggs, whole milk and shredded cheddar cheese. These price increases tracked closely with the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics stating that food prices have increased by about 1.5 percent this year.

Compared to the national average price of $53.27, Missouri prices were $4.19 less. Missouri prices were higher on four items and less on twelve. Interestingly, bacon prices didn’t shift significantly in Missouri as they did nationally – Missouri’s price moved up $0.06 from a year ago and was $0.99 cheaper than national average.